Bill 26 – Alberta’s New DUI Law

It’s often said that the best offense is a good defense. In the case of drinking and driving charges, this is especially true.

Being charged with a first offense for drunk driving is an experience you don’t want to undergo alone, particularly since Alberta’s new drunk driving legislation, Bill 26, came into effect in January 2012. Under Bill 26 drivers who are charged with or convicted of being under the influence face longer license suspensions, vehicle seizures and other penalties.

If you have been charged with a DUI or are facing other impaired driving charges you need to know about Bill 26 and how it applies to you.

Bill 26 Contains Tougher Penalties for DUIs in Alberta

For drivers found to have a blood alcohol content between .05 and .08 BAC, there are several important changes to Alberta drunk driving law:

• 3-day license suspension and vehicle seizure (compared to only 24 hours previously)

Increased penalties for repeat offences:

• 15-day license suspension and seven-day vehicle seizure, required remedial course for a second offence
• 30-day license suspension and seven-day vehicle seizure, plus mandatory board hearing and remedial course for a third offence

Both first-time and repeat offenders may also be required to participate in the mandatory ignition interlock program.

License suspension for Drinking and Driving

New legislation also allows licenses to be suspended pending resolution of criminal charges, effectively resulting in an indefinite suspension.

Hire a skilled DUI lawyer

Ryan Claxton’s experienced impaired driving defense lawyers will help you strategize the best defense to prevent an impaired driving charge from having a lasting negative impact on your life.